A**Lighters Anonymous (Ft. Donnell Rawlings & Jivanta Roberts)

On this week’s episode of The Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne tha God and Andrew Schulz chop it up with hip-hop legend N.O.R.E. From his big health transformation to balancing family life, N.O.R.E. keeps it real about his journey both inside and outside the music game. He talks about his love for running, giving back to the community, and opens up on his relationships with other artists—plus, he doesn’t shy away from the recent Pusha T and Pharrell drama. The crew also dives into the rise of reggaeton, cultural identity, and the behind-the-scenes politics of the industry. It’s not just about music, though. They touch on comedy, awards, the art of negotiation, and how personal connections can make or break careers. N.O.R.E. drops gems on kindness, growth, and the power of storytelling through platforms like podcasts. If you’re into hip-hop, culture, and raw unfiltered convos, this episode is packed with laughs, real talk, and major insight into the evolution of one of rap’s most respected voices. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots The Black Family Who Built America - Cheryl McKissack Daniel https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America/Cheryl-McKissack-Daniel/9781668033999 Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne The God is joined by Jivanta Roberts and Donnell Rawlings for a wild, unfiltered conversation that dives into everything from trust and relationships to the art of making a solid first impression. They discuss how public scrutiny affects personal lives, breaking down messy celebrity situations like August Alsina’s relationship drama. They also chop it up about love in music, redemption in comedy, and why having a strong community backing you can change everything. But it doesn’t stop there things get even deeper with talks about street codes and Young Thug’s case, the evolution of sketch comedy, and how positive energy plays into overcoming personal challenges. Plus, they answer some #AskAnIdiots on financial literacy and personal growth that’ll have you taking notes. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots The Black Family Who Built America - Cheryl McKissack Daniel https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America/Cheryl-McKissack-Daniel/9781668033999 Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Build credit fast and get your first month for just a dollar at GetKikoff.com/IDIOTS today. Thanks to Kikoff for sponsoring us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne is joined by Akaash and Mark from Flagrant podcast and get into a wild mix of topics. They kick things off with Drake’s messy family court drama, questions about whether his jewelry is actually real, and of course the never ending back and forth with Kendrick Lamar. Meek Mill’s public image gets some heat, Snoop Dogg comments on a kids movie causes backlash, and Tyrese makes things awkward with a body count joke. But it doesn’t stop there. The conversation takes some funny left turns, like debating the power of bidets and personal hygiene while also diving into deeper stuff like old school video game nostalgia, racial unity, the crack era’s impact, and the importance of men being vulnerable. They even touch on bias in hip-hop media, “what if” scenarios in history, and ideas for building a better America all with that signature Brilliant Idiots humor and honesty. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots The Black Family Who Built America - Cheryl McKissack Daniel https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America/Cheryl-McKissack-Daniel/9781668033999 Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Brilliant Idiots Podcast, Charlamagne Tha God and Lauren LaRosa keep it real about the world of podcasting, pop culture, and everything in between. They break down how different guests shake up the audience, the ups and downs of fame, and why personal stories hit harder than any publicity stunt. From the influence of artists like Lil Nas X and Future, to the role of hip hop in shaping culture, Charlamagne and Lauren dive into how celebrity has evolved—and what it takes to actually last in the game. They also get into the power of audio, the future of podcasting, and why growth (both personal and professional) matters in media. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots The Black Family Who Built America - Cheryl McKissack Daniel https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America/Cheryl-McKissack-Daniel/9781668033999 Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this #AskAnIdiot edition of The Brilliant Idiots podcast, Charlamagne Tha God and Andrew Schulz keep it real on everything from girl dad parenting tips to dealing with those tricky convos with teenage daughters. They get into what it’s like trying to find personal space as a husband and father, plus how the media game and career opportunities are changing. The guys also dive deep into spirituality, religion, sin, forgiveness, and what it really means to question Christian beliefs. No topic’s off-limits—they challenge old ideas and talk about how faith can evolve. On the political side, they break down the why nuance matters, and how social services fit into the bigger picture. Sports fans get their fix too, with debates on NFL greatness, whether championships define a player’s legacy, and hot takes on athletes’ public images. It’s part parenting talk, part spiritual deep dive, part sports bar debate—and 100% classic Brilliant Idiots energy. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots The Black Family Who Built America - Cheryl McKissack Daniel https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America/Cheryl-McKissack-Daniel/9781668033999 Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Brilliant Idiots podcast, Charlamagne Tha God and Andrew Schulz chop it up about everything from WNBA drama involving dildos, to why hair extensions might be messing with identity. They get real about living with ADHD, how society labels us, and why body positivity in ads still feels a bit off sometimes. The guys also revisit the classic TV show Martin, breaking down its impact on comedy, beauty standards, and the iconic roast battles between Martin and Pam. From there, the convo takes a serious turn—covering health scares like Lyme disease, the pressures on celebs to share personal stuff, and why some charity efforts miss the mark. They also dive deep into sports salaries, the politics of wealth, and how transparency (or the lack of it) shapes public opinion. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough—there’s talk of political corruption, AI taking over, and the looming risk of nuclear war. Just a casual chat, right? *** NOTE This episode was recorded before Trump's social media post*** ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots The Black Family Who Built America - Cheryl McKissack Daniel https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America/Cheryl-McKissack-Daniel/9781668033999 Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne Tha God and Andrew Schulz are dedicating an episode to answering your #AskAnIdiot questions. They talk about everything from parenting struggles and wild personal stories to why comedy still matters and how fictional worlds shape real-life thinking. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Brilliant Idiots episode, Charlamagne and Andrew are all over the place (in the best way possible). They chop it up about everything from escaping reality with movies to how kids’ shows handle gender representation. Hunter Biden’s wild crack comments? Yeah, they go there. Political convos, messy workplace relationships, and the pay gap in the WNBA all get their shine too. Of course, celebrity culture gets its own spotlight—Ray J’s name definitely comes up. The guys keep it real about social media, public perception, and how we hold people accountable. They even take a moment to reflect on the cultural impact of The Cosby Show and the tragic loss of Malcolm Jamal Warner, plus how TV keeps evolving. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne The God and Andrew Schulz dive into today’s wild political and cultural landscape. We’re unpacking everything from what it really means to be an adult in this chaotic world to the drama surrounding Trump, the Democratic Party, and the much-talked-about Epstein files. Expect real talk about why holding politicians accountable actually matters, how media shapes what we believe, and why foreign policy hits closer to home than most of us realize. We’ll get into the rise of younger Democrats, the messiness of identity politics, and what’s next for a fractured Democratic Party. Social media’s role in all this? Yeah, we go there too. Plus, we take a fun detour into pop culture—think DC Universe, Superman, and how media reflects who we are. If you’re curious, frustrated, or just want to understand the consequences of the choices our leaders make, this episode’s for you. It’s all about staying informed, questioning the narrative, and figuring out how we can actually make change happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne The God and Andrew Schulz dive deep into today’s most pressing cultural and political issues. From the controversy surrounding a Love Island contestant’s racial slur and what it reveals about race and identity, to the shifting political tides in New York City and the rise of democratic socialism, no topic is off-limits. We also examine the heavy toll of capitalism on education—exploring student debt, rising tuition, and access to opportunity. On the global stage, we unpack rising geopolitical tensions between Taiwan, China, and the U.S., and what they mean for international relations. Plus, we explore ongoing speculation around the Epstein case and what the elusive “list” could expose about powerful elites. Rounding out the episode, we get personal—discussing the nature of real vs. performative friendships in the entertainment industry, and sharing heartfelt reflections on marriage, love, and finding a life partner in today’s world. ************************************ Sponsor Brilliant Idiots: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/brilliant-idiots Uncommon Favor - Dawn Staley Order - https://a.co/d/4pLD1C3 No Holes Barred -Mandi B & Weezy WTF https://a.co/d/cGFDUoB Get Honest or Die Lying Why Small Talk Sucks By Charlamagne Tha God https://a.co/d/gpFlOol Check out Andrew Schulz www.theandrewschulz.com Check out all the podcast on Charlamagne's "Black Effect Network" https://blackeffect.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices